Policies/Disclaimer

Policies

Data Protection

VP Legal Solicitors is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) we fully comply with their strict data protection policy. Our data protection and privacy policy is detailed below, if you have any questions about this policy please use our contact form, or call us on 01536 72201.

Our Registration Number is: ZA207762

What information do we collect?

When you complete our online enquiry form we collect the following information: Your name, e-mail address, phone number, post code and information about your claim.

What is this information used for?

All of the information we collect is stored securely, information supplied will only be shared with legal professionals and other such experts as required in order to directly progress your case. None of your details will be passed to any further party.

How is your information protected?

We take protection of your data seriously, information you supply is stored on a password protected secure server, this information is deleted after two years.

Do we disclose any information to outside parties?

All your data is private and confidential, as such it is only ever shared with legal professionals and experts directly involved with your case. We do not sell, share or distribute your information to any further parties.

Third party links

Any links to third party services, or products, on this website are independent of VP Legal Solicitors and have their own separate privacy policies. We do not endorse, or accept, liability for any claim arising because of the activity, content or policies of these sites.

Changes to our Privacy Policy

It may be necessary to change our privacy policy from time to time, in such cases we will update this page with all relevant information.

Disclaimer

The material and information on this website has been prepared by VP Legal Solicitors and is suitable only for general information purposes. The content of this website is not intended as legal or professional advice, whilst we endeavour to ensure that such information is current and accurate, it should not be relied on. VP Legal Solicitors advise you to always seek suitable advice from a legal professional and accepts no liability should you rely on information contained on this website and suffer a loss as a consequence.

The information contained on this website is the copyright of VP Legal Solicitors 2017 unless otherwise stated. You may access and download the contents of this website for the sole purpose of viewing such information on a temporary basis only. Permanent copying, or reproduction of any part of the contents of this website is forbidden.

Links to other websites may be included for their complimentary content which may be of interest to our visitors. These websites are reviewed on a regular basis and may be changed from time to time. We do not endorse, or accept, any liability for any claim arising because of reliance on information or advice contained in any linked third party websites.

Huntingdon Office

Abacus House,
93 High St,
Huntingdon PE29 3DP
01480 396396

Burton Latimer Office

21 Heath Way,
Burton Latimer,
Northants NN15 5YF
01536 722071

Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority: No.632679

Wills and Probate

Please find below an overview of the costs involved with the process of administering an Estate. As each estate is individual, these costs are indicative. We would tailor our service to suit your individual needs and requirements. For more information about the services that we offer and our prices, please contact Victoria Armour who will be happy to provide you with more information.

Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets for a simple average estate

We anticipate this will take between 10 and 20 hours work at £200.00 per hour. Total costs estimated at £2,000 – £4,000 (+VAT).

The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter. For example, if there is one beneficiary and no property, costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and multiple bank accounts, costs will be at the higher end.

We will handle the full process for you. This quote is for estates where:

• There is a valid will

• There is no more than one property

• There are no more than 3 bank or building society accounts

• There are no other intangible assets

• There are 1-5 beneficiaries

• There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs

• There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Potential additional costs

• If there is no will or the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds) there is likely to be additional costs that could range significantly depending on the estate and how it is to be dealt with. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.

• If any additional copies of the grant are required, they will cost £1 (1 per asset usually).

• Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.

How long will this take?

On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 6-8 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 9-12 weeks. Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 12-26 weeks. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 26-32 weeks.

Applying for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration only

Usually, we are able to offer a fixed fee of £1,000 plus VAT for estates which are worth less than £325,000 or where most or all of the estate (if it exceeds £325,000) is passing to a surviving spouse. In these cases, only a short form application for a Grant of Probate is required.

As part of our fixed fee we will:

• Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate lawyer to work on your matter,

• Review the documentation that you provide to us,

• Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries,

• Accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require,

• Complete the Probate Application and the relevant HMRC forms on your behalf and send them to you for signing or sworn,

• Make the application to the Probate Registry on your behalf,

• Obtain the Probate and securely send the sealed copies to you,

We will not: –

• Contact any organisations to whom money is owed or which owes money to the estate and/or collect in or handle any monies on behalf of the estate except where we need to pay or be paid fees.

In addition, there would be the same disbursements as listed above.

How long will this take?

On average, once the executor has provided us with the required information, it will take us about 2-3 weeks to prepare the application.

We would typically expect to receive the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration from the Court within 2-4 weeks.

Business to Business debt where the amount is undisputed

Court Claims

These costs apply where your claim is in relation to an unpaid invoice which is not disputed and enforcement action is not needed. If the other party disputes your claim at any point, we will discuss any further work required and provide you with revised advice about costs if necessary, which could be on a fixed fee (e.g. if a one off letter is required), or an hourly rate if more extensive work is needed.

Anyone wishing to proceed with a claim should note that:

• The VAT element of our fee cannot be reclaimed from your debtor.

• Interest and compensation may take the debt into a higher banding, with a higher cost.

• The costs quoted above are not for matters where enforcement action, such as the bailiff, is needed to collect your debt.

Our fee includes:

• Taking your instructions and reviewing documentation

• Undertaking appropriate searches

• Sending a letter before action

• Receiving payment and sending onto you, or if the debt is not paid, drafting and issuing claim

• Where no Acknowledgment of Service or Defence is received, applying to the court to enter judgment in default

• When Judgment in default in received, write to the other side to request payment

• If payment is not received within 28 days, providing you with advice on next steps and likely costs

Matters usually take 2 – 12 weeks from receipt of instructions from you to receipt of payment from the other side, depending on whether or not it is necessary to issue a claim. This is on the basis that the other side pays promptly on receipt of Judgment in default. If enforcement action is needed, the matter will take longer to resolve.

We can offer a “No Win No Fee” Agreement subject to the facts of your case.

However, our pricing for bringing and defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal if paying privately are as follows:

Simple case: £2500 – 3500 excluding VAT and disbursements

Medium complexity case: £5000 – 8000 excluding VAT and disbursements

High complexity case: £10000 – 25000 excluding VAT and disbursements

Factors that could make a case more complex:

• If it is necessary to make or defend applications to amend claims or to provide further information about an existing claim

• Defending claims that are brought by litigants in person

• Making or defending a costs application

• Complex preliminary issues such as whether the claimant is disabled (if this is not agreed by the parties)

• The number of witnesses and documents

• If it is an automatic unfair dismissal claim e.g. if you are dismissed after blowing the whistle on your employer

• Allegations of discrimination which are linked to the dismissal

• The complexity and volume of the documents in the case

You will be advised of the additional cost implications as the matter progresses.

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. There is no fee in the Employment Tribunal. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
Counsel’s fees estimated between £750 to £1500 plus vat per day (depending on experience of the advocate) for attending a Tribunal Hearing (including preparation)

Key Stages

The fees set out above cover all of the work in relation to the following key stages of a claim:

• Taking your initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising you on merits and likely compensation (this is likely to be revisited throughout the matter and subject to change)

• Entering into pre-claim conciliation where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached;

• Preparing claim or response

• Reviewing and advising on claim or response from other party

• Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process

• Preparing or considering a schedule of loss

• Preparing for (and attending) a Preliminary Hearing

• Exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing a bundle of documents

• Preparation and attendance at Final Hearing, including instructions to Counsel

The stages set out above are an indication and if some of stages above are not required, the fee will be reduced. You may wish to handle the claim yourself and only have our advice in relation to some of the stages. This can also be arranged on your individual needs.

How long will my matter take?

The time that it takes from taking your initial instructions to the final resolution of your matter depends largely on the stage at which your case is resolved. If a settlement is reached during pre-claim conciliation, your case is likely to take 4 – 6 weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take 26 – 52 weeks. This is just an estimate and we will of course be able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have more information and as the matter progresses.